Concrete field experience,
together with insights from academic theory and lessons learned from the experience
of foot binding in China
·
A non-coercive
and non-judgmental approach whose primary focus is the fulfilment of human rights
and the empowerment of girls and women is needed.
Communities tend to raise
the issue of FGM when they increase their awareness and understanding of human
rights and make progress toward the realisation of those they consider to be of
immediate concern, such as health and education.
Despite taboos regarding
the discussion of FGM, the issue emerges because group members are aware that
the practice causes harm. Community discussion and debate contribute to a new
understanding that girls would be better off if everyone abandoned the
practice.
·
Awareness on the
part of a community of the harm caused by the practice is needed. Through
non-judgmental, non-directive public discussion and reflection, the costs of
FGM tend to become more evident as women – and men – share their experiences
and those of their daughters.
The decision to abandon
the practice as a collective choice of a group that intra-marries or is closely
connected in other ways. FGM is a community practice and, consequently, is most
effectively given up by the community acting together rather than by
individuals acting on their own. Successful
transformation of the
social convention ultimately rests with the ability of members of the group to
organize and take collective action.
·
An explicit,
public affirmation on the part of communities of their collective commitment to
abandon FGM. It is necessary, but not sufficient, that most members of a
community favour abandonment.
A successful shift
requires that they manifest – as a community – the will to abandon. This may
take various forms, including a joint public declaration in a large public
gathering or an authoritative written statement of the collective commitment to
abandon.
·
A process of
organized diffusion to ensure that the decision to abandon FGM spreads rapidly from
one community to another and is sustained is important.
Communities must engage
neighbouring towns so that the decision to abandon FGM can be spread and sustained.
It is particularly important to engage those communities that exercise a strong
influence. When the decision to abandon becomes sufficiently diffused, the
social dynamics that originally perpetuated the practice can serve to
accelerate and sustain its abandonment.
Where previously there was
social pressure to perform FGM, there will be social pressure to abandon the
practice. When the process of abandonment reaches this point, the social
convention of not cutting becomes self-enforcing and abandonment continues
swiftly and spontaneously.
·
An environment
that enables and supports change.
Success in promoting the abandonment of FGM also
depends on the commitment of government, at all levels, to introduce
appropriate social measures and legislation, complemented by effective advocacy
and awareness efforts. Civil society forms an integral part of this enabling environment.
In particular, the media have a key role in facilitating the diffusion process.
Together we can end female genital mutilation for
good.
